Perfect In Every Detail

Shane Stratford: ‘This is exactly what I was looking for'

New Touch Up Guys franchisee finds work ready and waiting

Shane Stratford admits he was extremely nervous about going into business for the first time. ‘Actually, I was shi**ing myself,’ he laughs. ‘But now I’ve started, I’m 100 percent sure I made the right decision in choosing Touch Up Guys.’

Shane had been involved with his parents’ motel business, but was looking for a change of scenery. ‘My dream was always to be my own boss and I knew a good franchise would give me the tools I needed to run a business. At the same time, I wanted some flexibility in my life as I have three children under six and they are a priority. Being out and about meeting people is what I’m good at, and I enjoy using my hands, but I’ve never wanted to be a tradie. I spent a lot of time researching the market and one franchise that leapt out at me was Touch Up Guys.’

Touch Up Guys is a nationwide mobile service that repairs vehicles by removing the stone chips, scratches, bumper scuffs and other damage that inevitably afflict them. Franchisees also offer buffing, polishing, bumper repair and headlight restoration, servicing both commercial and private customers.

‘I talked to a lot of people in the car industry, dealerships, friends and others in business, and concluded that it was a great idea that was very much in demand,’ Shane says.

See for yourself

Martin Smith agrees. ‘I left corporate life in New Zealand in 1997 to become a Touch Up Guys franchisee, and became the master franchisee here eight years later. In over 25 years, there has never been a shortage of work – our franchisees have a regular stream of jobs from dealerships, not to mention demand from private owners. Being mobile means that a car for sale need never leave the yard or the customer’s home, which is a huge advantage.’

With his family background, Shane knew a thing or two about business –but was still careful to have all the facts and figures checked by a lawyer and accountant. ‘It was all encouraging, and both were impressed with the transparency of the franchise. I also spent a day with the Nelson franchisee and saw what the business involved for myself.’

Full training means no experience needed

Touch Up Guys franchisees all undertake an intensive training course on the Gold Coast, an experience that Shane found wholly positive. ‘I had most of my time with just one trainer and his colleague who joined us for the third week. Having one-on-one training gave me a lot of understanding of the advanced colour-matching technology, the processes and the business itself. I probably asked the same questions a dozen times over, but they were very patient with me.

‘Since I returned and started work, I’ve had a week with Martin in my brand new territory in Upper Hutt, too. The results were more than promising – we visited a dozen car yards, and they were so impressed we had one immediate job on the spot. You have all the equipment in the van wherever you go, so it’s just a matter of having the ability to talk to people and explain what you can do.’

As Shane says, he’s still absorbing the experience of owning his own business. ‘Jaime, my partner, is very level-headed about it,’ he says. ‘She is the other half of the business and handles all the marketing through social media, etc. I was having a negative moment the other day and she said very simply, “What if this is the best thing you’ve ever done and gets you just what you want in life?” She’s right, of course – this is exactly what I was looking for.’

Opportunities around the country

Shane also knows that he’ll have the franchise right behind him as he learns and grows. ‘A lot of our franchisees have been with us for more than 20 years, which only goes to show how stable this business is,’ says Martin. ‘It also offers options: franchisees can build the business themselves, take on an employee to operate longer hours or a second van, or split the territory once they’ve got as much work as they want and sell part of it to another franchisee.’

A complete Touch Up Guys package for a new franchisee including marketing, equipment, training and van costs between $89,000 and $120,000. ‘A van can be leased or bought hence the price range,’ Martin explains.

‘The demand for our services is such that I’m looking for more people all over the country. As Shane has discovered, there’s work ready and waiting on car yards, and we can also service commercial and rental fleets – and even boats.

‘Our franchisees come from all sorts of different backgrounds, and you certainly don’t need to have experience – just an eye for detail and the desire to get out there and work for yourself. If you’ve got that and you follow the system, you’ll find you can build a great business that gives you the lifestyle you want. Talk to me to find out more about opportunities near you.’

Advertiser Info

Touch Up Guys

www.touchupguysfranchise.co.nz

Contact Martin Smith

P 0800 286 824 M 021 721 430

martin.smith@touchupguys.co.nz